By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

For a number of years, sixth-graders in Hays USD 489 art classes have participated in the Lions Club International annual Peace Poster contest.

This year for the first time, a Hays student is an international Merit Award winner.

“It’s a really big deal,” said Kim Schneweis, the Hays Middle School art teacher who uses the contest as a class assignment. “The students, ages 11 to 13, create an image of world peace that can be understood by anyone in any country.”

Eleven-year-old Kristen Kuhl used colored pencils to draw her artistic vision for peace.  Outstretched hands with varying skin hues reach in for pizza slices fitted into a peace symbol decorated with flags from countries around the world.

Contest rules state no words are allowed on the posters.

“I believe symbolism made Kristen stand out, and the way she represented the idea,” Schneweis said. “She’s clearly artistic and did a really good job–good craftsmanship, good shading.” A couple of years ago Schneweis had her students switch from using paint on their posters to colored pencils. “The pencils seem to give the kids a little more control and they’re able to do little fine details a little better.”

Kuhl’s poster was among the 25 to 30 selected by Schneweis to submit to the Hays Lions Club representative for the peace poster contest, Dr. Jean Gleichsner.  Approximately 100 local students participated in the 2015-2016 contest. Local Lions Clubs pick their first-place winners which go to their District Lions Club. District winners go to state and the Kansas Lions Club winner–Kristen Kuhl–goes to the international contest.

Schneweis said the contest “fits nicely with our curriculum.  It really addresses communication of an idea with art.”

“Dr. Jean told me there were 40,000 original entries from 65 countries,” Schneweis added. “I’m so proud of Kristen.”

Kuhl has also earned financial rewards for her artistic talent.

“Between the local, district, state and international awards, Kristen won $715,” said Schneweis.  “That’s pretty good money for a sixth grader.”

According to the Lions Club International website, millions of children around the world have participated in the peace poster contest since its inception in 1988.